Keir Starmer cuts road project funding to boost defence spending

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a shift in government spending priorities, confirming that funds previously earmarked for road infrastructure will be redirected to bolster defence expenditure. This policy change, framed as part of a new Defence Investment Plan, is expected to be among the final acts of his premiership as he prepares to step down. The transition of leadership is set to conclude at the end of the Labour Party’s current leadership race. Should Andy Burnham remain the only candidate to succeed him, the Prime Minister could vacate his position as early as July 20.

The financial reallocation involves savings of up to £700m from the Department for Transport’s road projects budget. These cuts are focused on the third Road Investment Strategy, known as RIS3. Among the projects impacted by this policy are the A38 Derby Junctions and the A46 Newark Bypass schemes. Beyond these specific cancellations, the Department for Transport is reportedly exploring further reductions to road funding that had not yet been formally committed to individual schemes.

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The decision has drawn significant criticism, particularly from the East Midlands, the area most directly affected by the project cancellations. Claire Ward, the Labour Mayor for the region, expressed strong opposition to the reallocation. She stated:

"What I cannot understand is why the only region being asked to lose £900m of investment into its roads is the East Midlands – that is not equitable and fails to recognise the decades of underinvestment that have preceded today’s decision."

Ward argued that the government should seek contributions from other sectors and regions rather than targeting road investment in the East Midlands. Robert Jentick, a Reform MP, described himself as “furious” that critical infrastructure plans were being disrupted in this manner. Critics have characterized the road network’s current state as "woeful," and have suggested that motorists are being treated as an easy target for funding cuts.

While the government has maintained that it remains committed to funding for local authorities to carry out road maintenance, such as pothole repairs, experts have expressed concern regarding the sufficiency of these resources. The Treasury has pledged £7.3billion for this purpose. However, industry analysis indicates that the total maintenance backlog for roads across England and Wales is significantly higher, standing at £18.62billion.

David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, acknowledged the necessity of public funding decisions in a challenging global climate but questioned the impact of the current strategy on the nation's infrastructure:

"It is disappointing that capital funding for new road projects looks set to be cut, but it is vital that the Government honours the pledge made today to protect funding for local authorities to carry out much-needed road maintenance and pothole repairs."

Giles further noted that the existing £18.62billion backlog serves as a stark indicator of the condition of local thoroughfares. As the government proceeds with the redirection of capital, the focus remains on whether current maintenance pledges will be enough to address the ongoing degradation of the nation’s road network.